Barbed Fittings are leaking, any ideas?

[momo034]

I had a pump system for my faucets in my boat but decided to install an aft shower and so switched everything to a small 45psi electric pump, installed it all with 1/2" tubing and half the barbed fittings are leaking. Even after double clamping them and tightening the hell out of them.

Is there a secret to this? Or some product I can but to put on there that will permanently seal these joints? Thanks for the help!

[rwidman]

I would say that your tubing and fittings are not compatible sizes. The tubing is too big for the fittings or the fittings are too small for the tubing.

I have not had a problem with barbed fittings leaking.

[Manateeman]

What kind of fittings, tube, pump...just not enough info to help you.
Photos?
Do you have a caliper?
We’d love to help but there are hundreds of combinations.
The manatee crew

[Chayal]

Did you use pex style barbed fittings by accident?

It sounds like those hose clamps are in a wee bit tight.

Proper size hose over right barb wont leak and doesn’t need any additional sealing compound ( as long as the right size )

[k3fuller]

Originally Posted by Chayal

Did you use pex style barbed fittings by accident?

It sounds like those hose clamps are in a wee bit tight.

Proper size hose over right barb wont leak and doesn’t need any additional sealing compound ( as long as the right size )

I concur. I’m in the middle of replacing the 18 year old 1/2 inch tuning in my boat and installing a pump. It is very hard to find 1/2 inch barbed fittings that are made for the tubing. Everything Is Pex and irrigation 1/2 inch which is different diameter that the water tubing.

[Pandor]

Isn’t 45psi a bit over the top? My understanding is that most fresh water systems are around 25psi. Did you have any issues prior to raising the pressure? I have three showers on my boat that all run off a 25 psi system without issue.

[garyfdl]

I second 'manateeman', we could use more info.

If you used PEX, you need to use PEX fittings and the PEX crimp rings.

If it's a standard barb fitting, it may be the hose is too big, or too hard/stiff for that fitting.

I also agree that 45 PSI is too high; my city water pressure is <30!

[Chayal]

Curious if the 1/2” tubing is pex piping or rubber hose.

Pex pipe/fitting = crimp rings only.. agreed.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Pandor

Isn’t 45psi a bit over the top? My understanding is that most fresh water systems are around 25psi. Did you have any issues prior to raising the pressure? I have three showers on my boat that all run off a 25 psi system without issue.

Most pressure water pumps, used on boats, deliver pressures in the 35 – 60 psi range.

Residential [land] water pressure tends to range between 45 and 80 psi. Anything below 40 psi is considered low and anything below 30 psi is considered too low; the minimum pressure required by most codes is 20 psi. Pressures above 80 psi are too high.
Private residential wells use a pressure tank and switch to control the water pressure. These are most commonly set at 30-50 psi, turning on the pump at 30 psi and off at 50 psi.

I use only AWAB or ABA [brand] all 316 stainless steel hose clamps, which use indented (smooth inside) bands, as opposed to perforated, They’re less likely to damage hose.

[RaymondR]

Just finished installing a gas water heater and had exactly the same problem. Removed the clamp on the left and replaced it with two of the narrower clamps on the right and problem solved.

[momo034]

Yes in the end I realized I was using irrigation fittings. But even when I swapped them out I had problems. Eventually though I was able to stop the leaking just by tightening the hell out of the clamps and using a bit of Teflon.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to write in with ideas, much appreciated.

[danstanford]

Originally Posted by momo034

Yes in the end I realized I was using irrigation fittings. But even when I swapped them out I had problems. Eventually though I was able to stop the leaking just by tightening the hell out of the clamps and using a bit of Teflon.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to write in with ideas, much appreciated.

I would be careful using teflon in this application. It is slippery and barbs require friction.

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by momo034

Yes in the end I realized I was using irrigation fittings. But even when I swapped them out I had problems. Eventually though I was able to stop the leaking just by tightening the hell out of the clamps and using a bit of Teflon.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to write in with ideas, much appreciated.

Teflon? On a barbed fitting?


The point of teflon is to reduce friction when tightening tapered pipe threads to allow the threads to get tight enough to seal.

You aren't using the right size hose or barb.

[gonesail]

if it is pex tubing then it needs a proper fitting. i used the Flair-it brand couplers and fittings.

[Thumbs Up]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

Just finished installing a gas water heater and had exactly the same problem. Removed the clamp on the left and replaced it with two of the narrower clamps on the right and problem solved.

Exactly! use smaller hose clamps! The big clamps have a flat spot.